Consummate pro not one to fluff his lines

FORTY-FIVE minutes gone, 24 metres out. Ufuk Talay did the
honourable thing, upending Carlos Pavon just outside the box,
directly in front of goal. Free-kick. The moment 80,295 people had
been waiting for had arrived.

For one fleeting second, Pavon motioned to take the ball. Hadn't
he read the script? Then a flicker of understanding dawned in the
eyes of the Honduran international. He walked away, leaving it for
the star attraction.

David Beckham didn't disappoint. First, he made sure referee
Mark Shield had the defensive wall back the required 10m. Then he
stepped up - leaning his body to the left, as he always does, to
get the perfect angle on his contact with the ball. As the right
foot that has been compared to the left foot of the greatest player
of the modern era, Diego Maradona, struck the ball, a blizzard of
cameras flashes erupted.

Fate was in Clint Bolton's hand. The Sydney FC keeper dived to
his right, but, like so many before him, it wasn't enough. There
was power, bend and dip as the ball left the most expensive
footwear real estate in the game. And, while Bolton got a touch, he
couldn't keep it out. A mighty roar erupted, and Beckham held up
his arms and looked to the sky. Mission accomplished. The headline
is human, after all.

If we didn't know that already, we certainly knew it as the game
clock ticked to 27 minutes. As Beckham released a pass down the
flank, he slipped over and his left ankle buckled under his weight.
Compounding his woes, Brendon Santalab fell into him as he hit the
ground. Beckham was hurt, and the crowd gasped. Please, God, say it
ain't so.

Beckham gritted his teeth, and limped on. Did he do it because
of his pride, or because he knew so many millions were riding on
his appearance? Player, or property? It's a conundrum the former
England skipper has become used to, because it has followed him
everywhere.

And so he kept going. At half-time, as he embraced Juninho, it
appeared a jersey swap had been arranged. But it was Sydney's
Brazilian, and not the Galaxy's Englishman, who failed to appear
for the second half. In the end, Beckham lasted the full 90
minutes. You can see why fans love him, and sponsors adore him. He
hates to disappoint.

But he can't do it all on his own. A game that meant nothing
didn't prove anything, but it did hint that the A-League is just as
good as the MLS. There may be more money and history behind
America's pro league, but Australia's fledgling competition looks
pretty healthy by comparison.

Juninho, who set up two goals for Alex Brosque, enjoyed the
stage. So, too, did Talay, who laid on goals for Ruben Zadkovich
and Robbie Middleby. The latter came after a delightful turn, which
bamboozled Beckham near the halfway line. And Beckham couldn't help
but stand and admire the pass that followed.

Clearly revved up by their coach, Ruud Gullit, during the
interval, the Galaxy started to move up the gears. Beckham took
exception to a challenge from Middleby and rushed at the Sydney FC
substitute. His get-square 10 minutes later earned him a yellow
card, which he accepted with good grace. An exhibition is one
thing, but embarrassment is quite another.

When Adam Biddle coughed up the ball and Edson Buddle scored,
Sydney suddenly looked in a muddle. But Middleby's goal restored
their advantage, and the Galaxy were reminded they were in for a
scrap. Their defender, Kevin Harmse, took things too literally,
stomping on Biddle's arm, and was sent out of harm's way by Shield.
The Galaxy finished a man down, but the only man who mattered
lasted the distance.

He's not the player he was, that much was clear. But David
Beckham is still the man everyone expects him to be.

1196036897379-smh.com.auhttp://www.smh.com.au/news/football/consummate-pro-not-one-to-fluff-his-lines/2007/11/27/1196036897379.htmlsmh.com.auSydney Morning Herald2007-11-28Consummate pro not one to fluff his linesMichael CockerillSportFootball